Re: OT: Anyone dealt with Vocational Rehabilitation?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/26/2005 8:51:06 PM Pacific Standard Time,

ajt880@... writes:

That's insane; you do not have to qualify financially for them to

help you and as we all know being deaf or HOH is disability enough.

some state do have restrictions... Take WA, even if one is deaf, we can be

on " bottom " of wait list for a long time. It used to be " you are disabled, we

will help you " , but now they use 3 tiers system, based on how disabled you

are.

Lee

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/26/2005 9:10:03 PM Pacific Standard Time,

dkl.pearson@... writes:

Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helped me with

purchasing a hearing aid, get an education and find a job. That was over 25

years

ago.

go today, they will tell you TOTALLY " new " DVR,, many of us can't be helped

in timely manner.

Lee

[Guest guest]

wrote: I have some questions about Voc Rehab in other

states...Any thing you can tell me will be greatly appreciated as I

continue to try and develop some type of working relationship with

them and set some goals.

, I live in Indiana and had never used Voc Rehab until about 2

years ago; thought I didn't qualify because I had a job and husband

and I both work. I found our voc rehab (and I think it is a federal

program run by state but could be wrong) will help you with

employment (HA's, other devices) no matter how much you make or even

if you have a job. Intent is to assist disabled to find, train for,

and or keep jobs. I felt really stupid; they were so nice and

purchased a pair of HAs and a shake awake clock; all these years I

have worked 2 jobs and done without so I could buy HAs. Look them up

on the internet and go in prepared; if your counselor is not helpful

ask for a supervisor. They are supposed to give you paperwork that

lists their mission and goals. Try this site

http://www.dhs.state.or.us/vr/

Hope this helps Andi

[Guest guest]

> Hi ,

>

> I live in Massachusetts and have had a difficult

> time. I was told I needed two " things " to be eligible..

Janet,

That's insane; you do not have to qualify financially for them to

help you and as we all know being deaf or HOH is disability enough.

I am in charge of the computers for a large probation department;

one of my first encounters with voc rehab was when we hired a young

(30-35) man who had a stroke and had lost most mobility of one side

of his body and it affected his eyesight; when I was trying to

determine his needs he told me his voc rehab counsellor was taking

care of it and to save my money. I provided software (dragon

dictate) and they provided a 19 inch monitor, a special keyboard for

one handed use, the headset for the software, and a device for his

phone; I was amazed. Still didn't dawn on me I was disabled enough

for them to help.(lol) Andi

[Guest guest]

What kind of problems are you having?

I used to deal with Vocational Rehabilitation many years ago.

Pearson

sville, WA

OT: Anyone dealt with Vocational Rehabilitation?

I have some questions about Voc Rehab in other states (I live in

Oregon) because I am having alot of problems with them. I wanted to

find out how other states deal with situations, and how they

determine who gets what help, etc... Any thing you can tell me will

be greatly appreciated as I continue to try and develop some type of

working relationship with them and set some goals.

Take care everyone.

Implant 1-2-97

Activated 2-12-97

Severe loss--20+ years/Menieres disease

[Guest guest]

It used to be " you are disabled, we will help you " , but now they

use 3 tiers system, based on how disabled you are.

How sad; I think they are just forcing willing able-bodied people

into taking SSD and SSI. I know if I hadn't had my job and they had

not been so accomodating of my needs that we would have been in a

world of trouble; I had 4 kids in catholic school when I started to

lose my hearing. We struggled to buy aids but I had to have them to

work. Andi

[Guest guest]

I've dealt with vocational rehabilitation for quite some time now. I was

provided with various kinds of adaptive equipment for my blindness and

hearing loss/deafness including a Braille display, screen reader software,

BrailleNote, TeleBraille, Comtek FM system and Alertmaster 6000.

As my hearing continued to get worse, VR provided funding for my

training at my local deafblind center as well as attendance at a national

convention for the deafblind (American Association of the Deaf-Blind) a year

after I was diagnosed with severe-profound hearing loss. They also provided

cab fare to and from my university campus until I was able to learn

alternative communication techniques when riding the bus. In addition, they

provided captionists and interpreters for all of my college courses.

I know several deaf and hard of hearing people who are successfully being

served by vocational rehabilitation. As far as I know, there are no

financial restrictions as to who can or cannot receive services. Hearing

loss/deafness is considered a disability just as blindness, cognitive and

physical impairments are.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

Andi,

I know what you mean. When I switched counselors, I was almost talked into

attending a community college or a sheltered workshop for the blind after I

had to quit my studies temporarily because of my hearing loss. (Had no way

to hear/communicate in class) I flat out told my counselor that I *refused*

to attend a CC or a workshop and *would* continue my studies at my

university with or without her help. I've been in the system for quite

awhile now (due to my progressive hearing loss) and instead of helping me

complete my education (I only had one more year to complete), she wanted to

close my case. I'm now working with a different counselor who has been

wonderful about helping me. I have no complaints and am only one semester

away from receiving my Bachelor's degree in social work.

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years

[Guest guest]

....I have no complaints and am only one semester away from receiving

my Bachelor's degree in social work.

You are a fighter; someone instilled that in you somewhere along the

line and you should thank God for who ever that was. My mom

instilled a whole lot in me; I don't fight as much for myself as I

should but God help the person who messes with one of my kids! Gee,

get your degree and you can come work with me (lol). Seriously what

are you wanting to do when you graduate? Andi

[Guest guest]

Hi Andi,

Thanks for the compliments! <smile>

After I receive my Bachelor's degree, I plan to continue onto grad school to

earn a Master's in social work. From there I'd like to work with deaf, blind

or deafblind adults or children in a hospital or rehabilitative setting. At

some point I plan on working towards a P.h.D. (this has been a personal

dream of mine since high school thanks to the encouragement of my 10th grade

Biology teacher) in disability law and to work on a national level for the

rights of people with disabilities. It has taken me a very long time to

finish my Bachelor's degree, but if I had to do it all over again, I would!

Implanted: 12/22/04 Activated: 1/18/05

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 20 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 10 years